By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The International Manufacturing Technology Show and McCormick Place on Wednesday announced an extension of their partnership through 2034, securing the Western Hemisphere’s largest manufacturing trade show in Chicago for two additional editions and an estimated $500 million in combined economic impact.
The agreement covers the 2032 and 2034 editions of IMTS, which is held every two years and generates roughly $250 million in economic impact for Chicago and Illinois with each show, according to a joint news release from AMT — The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the show’s producer, and Choose Chicago.
“Chicago has been a longtime home for IMTS, and we’re proud to continue investing in a city that’s been such an important part of IMTS’ history,” Michelle Edmonson, vice president of exhibitions at AMT, said in the release.
Gov. JB Pritzker praised the deal in a statement.
“The world’s manufacturing community has a home in Chicago, and we’re proud to keep it here through 2034,” Pritzker said. “These two additional shows will generate an estimated $500 million in economic impact, supporting jobs and bringing business to our hotels, restaurants, and local shops.”
The show also announced a $101,000 investment in Chicago Public Schools STEM education programs. The contribution, made in partnership with Haas Automation and the Gene Haas Foundation, will introduce students to advanced manufacturing technologies and career opportunities, according to the release.
Between 2016 and 2026, IMTS generated more than $1.8 billion in estimated economic impact for Chicago and Illinois, according to Larita Clark, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), which owns McCormick Place.
“The impact of IMTS extends far beyond McCormick Place,” Clark said in the release. “That impact is felt across our restaurants, hotels, airports, schools, and even our cabs. IMTS spends nearly 30 days on campus, employing thousands of workers to set up, operate, and dismantle the show.”
The partnership between IMTS and McCormick Place spans six decades. The extended agreement reflects a shared commitment among AMT, MPEA and Choose Chicago to maintain the city’s position as a destination for major international business events, according to the release.
“IMTS is exactly the kind of world-class event Chicago was built to host,” Kristen Reynolds, president and CEO of Choose Chicago, said in the release. “Every two years, IMTS brings industry leaders and innovators from more than 110 countries to Chicago, generating significant economic impact that extends well beyond the show floor and into our hotels, restaurants, businesses, and neighborhoods.”
IMTS draws manufacturing professionals, technology innovators and industry leaders from around the world, driving business for hotels, restaurants, transportation providers and other local businesses. The show’s economic ripple effects support thousands of hospitality, transportation and service-sector jobs during each cycle, according to Choose Chicago.
The 2034 extension locks in one of the convention center’s marquee events for nearly a decade, providing long-term scheduling certainty for the city’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Source: Choose Chicago
